Advertising frame for use on a waste receptacle

ABSTRACT

A readily attachable and changeable outdoor advertising sign and a complemental relatively stationary but portable support therefor. The sign comprises a metal picture-type frame. The inner perimeter surfaces of the frame members are E-shaped and provide inward and outward seating channels. The outward channel portions receive and retain the gasket-equipped sealing and weatherproofing edges of a transparent window while the inward channel portions seat and removably retain the marginal edges of a changeable sign, an attractive display-type placard. This composite eye appealing sign is removably but retentively housed and keyed in track portions of a receiver, more particularly, an oriented and coordinating receiver which is recessed in a vertical wall portion of a decorative-type outdoors support, more particularly, a solid waste container or receptacle. This receptacle is preferably of a type which lends itself to litter collecting use on city streets, in keeping with environmental services recommendations.

United States Patent 1191 Weiss ADVERTISING FRAME FOR USE ON A WASTERECEPTACLE [75] Inventor? [73] Assignee:

22] Filed: Sept. 22, 1972 21 Appl. No.2 291,343

52 U.S. c1 40/306, 40/64 R, 220/32 51 1111.131. ..G09f23/00 58 Field ofSearch 40/306, 152, 156, 33,64 R; 220/32; 35/31 E [56] References CitedUNITED .STATES PATENTS 1,622,210 3/1927 Rystedt... 40/33 587,241 7/1897Seidel 1,895,938 l/1933 Mutschler... 2,685,748 8/1954 Gilbert 35/31 E3,681,867 8/1972 Bilodeau 1,424,519 8/1922 Richardson 1,424,520 8/1922Richardson et al. 1,363,122 12/1920 "Josephson 2,294,068 8/1942Budington Sam Weiss, Pottsville, Pa.

United Metal Receptacle Corporation, Pottsville, Pa.

Primary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A.OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson 5 7] ABSTRACT A readily attachable andchangeable outdoor advertising sign and a complemental relativelystationary but portable support therefor. The sign comprises a metalpicture-type frame. The inner perimeter surfaces of the frame membersare E-shaped and provide inward and outward seating channels. Theoutward channel portions receive and retain the gasket-equipped sealingand weatherproofing edges of a transparent window while the inwardchannel portions seat and removably retain the marginal edges of achangeable sign, an attractive display-type placard. This composite eyeappealing sign is removably but retentively housed and keyed in trackportions of a receiver, more particularly, an oriented andcoordinatingreceiver which is recessed in a vertical wall portion oYadecorative-type outdoors support, more particularly, a solid wastecontainer or receptacle. This receptacle is preferably of a type whichlends itself to litter collecting use on city streets, in keeping withenvironmental services recommendations.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ADVERTISING FRAME FOR USE ON A WASTERECEPTACLE This invention relates, broadly classified, to card, pictureand sign exhibiting devices and pertains, more specifically, to anoutdoor changeable frame-equipped sign which lends itself to serviceableuse in a recessed receiver built into a vertical wall portion of aportable self-standing waste receptacle such as is currently beingendorsed for city use by environmental service authorities.

To the ends desired, the waste receptacle (litter, refuse or trashcontainer) is not only constmcted for outdoors on-the-street pitch inuse, it is so designed and constructed that it presents an attractiveand harmonizing appearance in keeping with the street, park or otherarea in which it is set for use. The exterior wall structure orenclosure which encompasses the concealed trash collecting receptacle,is not only designed with requisite nicety, circumferentially spacedvertical wall portions are provided with novelly constructed pocketingreceivers for retentive reception of the insertable and removabledisplay type signs. Each'sign is an innovation in that it ischaracterized by a picture frame equipped with an outward window panelprotectively shielding an inwardly located sign, more precisely, ahighly decorative and attractive placard-type panel. This panel isreadily attachable to and detachable from the inner perimeter portionsof the encompassing frame members.

In carrying out the principles of the overall concept the framed signcan be readily applied and subsequently unfastened merely by sliding itupward from track means provided therefor, thus expediting the step ofchanging the placard or show card and also washing and cleaning theplastic protective window. The frame is uniquely constructed in orderthat the panel-type placard can be removed and replaced without usingtools or implements. Also, the complete framed sign can be clampinglyheld down and in place by the hinged cover overlying the frame and canbe locked in place, if found to be necessary.

The broad concept of presenting and displaying advertising signs andadvertisements of one type or another on viewable wall surfaces oftrash'containers is not new. Then too, thebasic concept ofincorporatingremovable advertising panels on trash container walls is known to beold. For background information reference may, if desired, be made toprior U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,424,519; 1,424,520 of Aug. 1, 1922; or U.S. Pat.No. 1,363,122 of Dec. 21, 1920.

Briefly, and considering first the bodily attachable and detachablesign, it comprises a four-sided aluminum or an equivalent frame. Thecross-section of the horizontal top member and vertical frame members isE-shaped. The horizontal bottom frame member is likewise E-shaped. Theoutward channel portions accommodatingly receive and position the vinylmolding-on the marginal edges of the plastic window panel. The in-' wardchannel portions receive and support the readily insertable andremovable sign, that is, the aforementioned sign or placard. The inwardflange of the horizontal bottom channel is reduced in height andfunctions in a manner which allows the placard to be removed, replacedand retentively retained in its given position. The vertical wallportion (or portions) of the shell or enclosure of the solid orequivalent waste receptacle is recessed and otherwise expresslyconstructed to provide a sign receiver and holder which has an open signrevealing front, is open at its upper sign entrance and exit end andembodies features hereinafter set forth.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in persepctive of a waste receptacle illustrating anacceptable form of the same and showing, what is more significant, theaforementioned readily attachable and detachable advertising frames orsigns constructed in accordance with the invention and readied for use.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail section with parts in elevation takenapproximately on the plane of the vertical section line 2-2 of FIG. 1',looking in the direction of the arrows and with the major portion of thecover omitted for cleamess of illustration.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective viewshowing the sign receiver on onewall portion of the walled enclosure, showing the window-equipped frameand, below it, the readily insertable and removable placard or sign.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a framgentary type taken on theplane of thevertical section line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

By way of introduction to the description of the details, it is to bepointed out that the walled enclosure will vary in shape, size andmaterials and could be either circular or substantially so ornoncircular. The adaptation shown is rectangular in cross-sectionaldimension. In actual practice wach vertical wall will be constructed toaccommodate the attachable and detachable sign. The self-standingsubstantially rigid attractive enclosure is denoted, as an entity, bythe numeral 6.'

The single wall means herein under consideration is de noted, generallystated, by the numeral 8. This enclosure is adapted in practice toencompass and conceal an inner open top receptacle 10 in the receptacleportion of which is denoted in, FIG. 2 at 12. The upper open end is ofappropriate construction as at 14 and is located in cooperativealignment with the dome-type or equivalent cover means 16. Inactualpractice the lefthand or rearward end portion 18 of the covermeans is hinged in place (not detailed). The diametrically oppositedepending skirt or wall portion 20 may be and preferably is providedwith an appropriate key-controlled lock which is denoted generally at 22and is partly de tailed at 24 in FIG. The entrance openings which permittrash and waste to be inserted are denoted at 26. The container orreceptacle may be provided with a plastic bag or liner (not shown).

For sake of simplicity a single receiver and sign is shown. With respectto the receiver, it is denoted, gen erally stated, by the numeral 28 andis formed by recessing the wall in a manner to provide an inwardlyoffset main vertical wall 30 whose upper edge portion 32 is providedexteriorly with a sign stabilizing and retaining bracket 34. In actualpractice this bracket, which is Z-shaped in cross section, is welded inplace as at 36 and embodies a fixed horizontal flange 38 and a verticalkeeper flange 40 which functions in the manner illustrated at the upperright in FIG. 2. The receiver is open at the top and open at its front.The outstanding lateral vertical narrow auxiliary walls, which arejoined with the main wall 30 are denoted at 42 and 44 resp'ectively, thelatter wall being the so-called horizontal bottom wall. Themedian'portions of these relatively narrow walls 42 and 44 are providedwith integral coacting keying ribs 46 (FIG. 3). The vertical cornerportions and other surface portions may be rounded, otherwise shaped andfinished as suggested at 48 for appearance purposes.

The readily attachable and detachable bodily insertable sign ischaracterized by a substantially rectangular frame 49.'The side membersare constructed of aluminum extrusion mitered and fastened securely ateach corner as suggested at 50. These frame members are basically alikeand are denoted by the numeral 52. The top or upper frame member and twovertical frame members are identical in construction and are E- shapedin cross section. This construction is brought out in detail in FIG. 4wherein it will be seen that the outer channel means is denoted at 54while the inner channel means is denoted at 56. The outerchan'nel meansserves to accommodate and retain the plastic window pane or panel 58. Itwill be'seen particularly in FIG. 4 that the marginal edge portions ofthe panel are weatherproofed with vinyl molding suitably secured inplace and fitted snugly in the channel means provided therefor, themolding being denoted at 60. The advertising or show card is denoted at62 and will be finished for such artistic display purposes as called forby the advertiser. With reference again to FIG. 4 it will be seen thatthe bottom short lip or flange 64 is such that it cooperates with theother flanges of the channel means to permit the card 62 to beinsertably fitted in place, shoved up by hand and then dropped down andin this manner retained against displacement.

With further reference again to FIG. 4 it will be noted that theaforementioned inturned wall or flange means 42 and 44, being providedwith laterally projecting ribs 46 which constitute keys and which areadapted to be fittingly seated in keying grooves 70 provided therefor inthe outer peripheral or marginal surfaces of the frame members 52.

It follows that the ribbed walls provide tracks for insertion andretaining of the insertable and removable sign with the vertical andbottom ribs 46 also serving as seals againstentrance of moisture whichcould damage the card. Also, the Z-shaped bracket 34 extendingcompletely across the top portion of the wall and generally equal to thedistance between the side frame members 52 forms'a water seal for thecard. The extreme upper ends of the ribs 46 may be omitted (notdetailed) to enable the flange 40 of bracket 34 to be positioned inalignment with the inner top channel means 56 for best results, that is,when the assembled sign is lowered to its final display position.

The aforementioned bracket means 34 fits into the groove means as shownin FIG. 2 to assist in stabilizing the sign once it is inserted andproperly seated. in place.

A careful consideration of the views of the drawings singularly andcollectively will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensiveunderstanding of the receiver means 28 and the sign means 48 and howthey are constructed and cooperate. Therefore a more extendeddescription is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operationshown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows: I

I. In combination, a portable self-standing outdoor solid wastereceptacle of a type currently used on city streets in keeping withenvironmental service requirements comprising, a walled enclosure, atleast one vertical wall portion embodying a vertically recessed portionproviding a sign inserting receiver designed and adapted to house andretentively but removably retain and present a sign for viewing, and abodily insertable and removable sign adapted for use within theencompassing confines of said receiver, said recessed receivercomprising an inset main vertical wall, borderedalong two vertical edgesand across a horizontal bottom edge with outstanding relatively narrowauxiliary walls, said receiver being open at its frontand at its upperend in a manner to accommodate the necessary steps of bodily insertingand removing the sign, said auxiliary walls in conjunction with saidmain wall providing track means for the frame members which orientthemselves therewith, the surfaces of the auxiliary walls which faceinto said receiver having centralized longitudinally extending keyingribs, and the outer perimeter edges of the frame members havingelongated grooves, said grooves providing keyways for said keying-ribs,said keying ribs being aligned with and slidingly keyed and retained ingiven positions in their respectively coordinating keyways, an upperoutwardly facing surface of said wall being provided with a fixedZ-shaped bracket having an outwardly offset upstanding retainer flangeadapted to retentively seat itself in a downwardly opening coactingportion of said inward channel in a manner to assist in securelypositioning and anchoring the sign in its viewable position, saidZ-shaped bracket extending substantially completely across the receiver,the flange on the Zshaped bracket and the keying ribs on the auxiliarywalls of the receiver engaged with the grooves in the frame memberscoacting to prevent entry of water and other material deleterious to thesign.

2. In combination, a portable support, for example, an outdoors solidwaste receptacle for use ,on city streets embodying a self-standingenclosure open at an upper end and having at least one vertical sidewall having a vertically recessed portion constituting a sign insertingand viewing receiver, said receiver comprising an inset vertical wallmarginally bordered along two vertical edges and a complementalhorizontal bottom edge with integral outstanding interconnected marginalsign encompassing, positioning, and retaining walls,

being E-shaped in cross-section, the inwardly facing perimeter surfacesof said frame members providing inward and outward spaced parallelchannels, one inward channel being of a depth appreciably less than thedepth of the other companion channels, a transparent window havingmarginal edges provided with weatherstrips fitted and sealingly seatedin coacting outward channels, a panel-type advertising placard opposedto and protectively parallel with said window and having marginal edgesretentively but removably seated in said inward channels, the outerperimeter edges of the frame members having coordinating elongatedgrooves providing keyways, the aforementioned keying ribs being alignedwith and slidingly keyed and retained in given positions in theirrespectively coordinating keyways.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 and wherein an outwardly facingsurface of an upper portion of said vertical wall is provided with ahorizontal fixedly mounted bracket having an outwardly offset upstandingretainer flange which is aligned with and adapted to removably butretentively seat itself in a downwardly opening coacting channel portionof said inward channel in a manner which assists in securely positioningand anchoring the sign in its viewable position within the confines ofsaid receiver.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 and wherein said offset retainerflange extends completely across said inset side wall and has terminalend portions cooperatively associated with coordinating-upper portionsof adjacent keying ribs.

5. The combination defined in claim 4, and openable and closable covermeans for and normally spanning and closing the upper end of saidenclosure, said cover means embodying a depending skirt portion orientedwith and residing atop an upper member of said frame.

6. The combination defined in claim 5, and wherein said cover means ishingedly mounted on a predetermined portion of said enclosure and isequipped with a key-controlled lock.

1. In combination, a portable self-standing outdoor solid wastereceptacle of a type currently used on city streets in keeping withenvironmental service requirements comprising, a walled enclosure, atleast one vertical wall portion embodying a vertically recessed portionproviding a sign inserting receiver designed and adapted to house andretentively but removably retain and present a sign for viewing, and abodily insertable and removable sign adapted for use within theencompassing confines of said receiver, said recessed receivercomprising an inset main vertical wall, bordered along two verticaledges and across a horizontal bottom edge with outstanding relativelynarrow auxiliary walls, said receiver being open at its front and at itsupper end in a manner to accommodate the necessary steps of bodilyinserting and removing the sign, said auxiliary walls in conjunctionwith said main wall providing track means for the frame members whichorient themselves therewith, the surfaces of the auxiliary walls whichface into said receiver having centralized longitudinally extendingkeying ribs, and the outer perimeter edges of the frame members havingelongated grooves, said grooves providing keyways for said keying ribs,said keying ribs being aligned with and slidingly keyed and retained ingiven positions in their respectively coordinating keyways, an upperoutwardly facing surface of said wall being provided with a fixedZ-shaped bracket having an outwardly offset upstanding retainer flangeadapted to retentively seat itself in a downwardly opening coactingportion of said inward channel in a manner to assist in securelypositioning and anchoring the sign in its viewable position, saidZ-shaped bracket extending substantially completely across the receiver,the flange on the Z-shaped bracket and the keying ribs on the auxiliarywalls of the receiver engaged with the grooves in the frame memberscoacting to prevent entry of water and other material deleterious to thesign.
 2. In combination, a portable support, for example, an outdoorssolid waste receptacle for use on city streets embodying a self-standingenclosure open at an upper end and having at least one vertical sidewall having a vertically recessed portion constituting a sign insertingand viewing receiver, said receiver comprising an inset vertical wallmarginally bordered along two vertical edges and a complementalhorizontal bottom edge with integral outstanding interconnected marginalsign encompassing, positioning, and retaining walls, said receiver beingwholly open at its front and also across its top in a manner toaccommodatingly facilitate inserting and removing a changeable sign, themedian surfaces of said encompassing and positioning walls facing intosaid receiver having associatively aligned and coordinatinglongitudinally extending keying and retaining ribs, bodily insertableand removable sign adapted for display use within the encompassingconfines of said receiver, said sign comprising an attractivepicture-type frame, the members of said frame being E-shaped incross-section, the inwardly facing perimeter surfaces of said framemembers providing inward and outward spaced parallel channels, oneinward channel being of a depth appreciably less than the depth of theother companion channels, a transparent window having marginal edgesprovided with weather-strips fitted and sealingly seated in coactingoutward channels, a panel-type advertising placard opposed to andprotectively parallel with said window and having marginal edgesRetentively but removably seated in said inward channels, the outerperimeter edges of the frame members having coordinating elongatedgrooves providing keyways, the aforementioned keying ribs being alignedwith and slidingly keyed and retained in given positions in theirrespectively coordinating keyways.
 3. The combination defined in claim 2and wherein an outwardly facing surface of an upper portion of saidvertical wall is provided with a horizontal fixedly mounted brackethaving an outwardly offset upstanding retainer flange which is alignedwith and adapted to removably but retentively seat itself in adownwardly opening coacting channel portion of said inward channel in amanner which assists in securely positioning and anchoring the sign inits viewable position within the confines of said receiver.
 4. Thecombination defined in claim 3 and wherein said offset retainer flangeextends completely across said inset side wall and has terminal endportions cooperatively associated with coordinating upper portions ofadjacent keying ribs.
 5. The combination defined in claim 4, andopenable and closable cover means for and normally spanning and closingthe upper end of said enclosure, said cover means embodying a dependingskirt portion oriented with and residing atop an upper member of saidframe.
 6. The combination defined in claim 5, and wherein said covermeans is hingedly mounted on a predetermined portion of said enclosureand is equipped with a key-controlled lock.